Reginald Corbet

Reginald Corbet (by 1513–1566) was a distinguished lawyer in four reigns across the mid-Tudor period, and prospered throughout, although he seems to have been definitely Protestant in sympathy. He was appointed serjeant-at-law and Justice of the King's Bench. He represented Much Wenlock in the parliament of 1542 and Shrewsbury in the parliaments of 1547, October 1553 and 1555. He enjoyed great wealth, partly because his wife was an heiress of Sir Rowland Hill, the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London.

Reginald Corbet was the third son of

Richard had two brothers: Roger Corbet (c.1501-1538), the heir to Sir Robert's estates, and Richard Corbet (died 1566). Both were to be MPs. However, of the three brothers, only Roger was provided for when Sir Robert died on 11 April 1513: aged about 12, he was to undergo a long wardship before coming into full possession of the Corbet estates in 1522. Although he made generous provision for his four daughters, Sir Robert never even mentions Richard and Reginald, The will dates from 1509, making it likely that the two younger sons were born after that date, so Reginald was probably little more than an infant when his father died. Both younger sons would have to look elsewhere for advancement. For Richard this meant, initially the court, while for Reginald it was the law.

Reginald was educated at the Middle Temple and called to the bar, although the dates of his early career are not known. He was to be Lent Reader in 1552, by which time he was a distinguished lawyer. He was auditor at the Middle Temple in 1556, assistant to the reader in 1559.

It is likely that Corbett was still at his Inn of Court when he served as MP for Wenlock in 1542. Only from about 1543 are the main outlines of his progress clear.

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